A Mini Office Makeover

Instead of going out and buying new furniture to redo the home office we both share, I challenged myself to update it using what we already have, not spending more than $150. In addition to my own self-imposed challenge, the mini makeover came with stipulations from the husband.   I kind of imagine this is what it’s like for professional designers who have clients that insist on certain items staying.   He specifically requested that two items remain:  the futon (he had as a bachelor ) and a rollup, cloth Godzilla poster.   It was another challenge in itself to decorate around items that would’ve been on my “goodbye” list.  But when he saw the “after” of the room he was really happy his things were incorporated, so I am glad.

The biggest impact came from a fresh coat of paint and curtains.   I also added lighting and accessories.  The Godzilla poster inspired the bold color for the garage sale lamps.  I shopped the house for most of the other accessories.  The ghost chairs and pillows came from the master bedroom.  Since the office furniture remained the same, the main difference was just rearranging it.  I separated the glass and metal wrap around corner desk into two separate desks.   Before, the two main desk areas were connected by this corner piece.

The black shelves displaying A’s movies and trophies moved to a different wall.                                                                                         

I rehung the Godzilla poster above the futon and incorporated some meaningful souvenirs from a special trip to South America by hanging them on letter hooks. (I already had the hooks, originally from the dollar bin at Michaels.)

The room used to read as dark and uninviting, but now the new wall color (BM Stonington Gray) and bright accessories make it feel much more welcoming.  It’s basically a microcosm of the whole house in terms of color scheme: a mix of softer neutrals, a touch of white, with a little bit of bold and bright.  I am enjoying the difference!

Update: I later found the chairs on sale – yay!

Here’s the final cost breakdown as it is here:

Wall Paint – $33
Curtains – $11
Corkboard –  $8
Tacks – $2
Fabric – $5
Garage sale lamps – $8
Spray Paint – $4
Wire organizers – $7
Ceramic owl – $2.50
Rug – $15
2 Lamp shades – $32

Total:  $127.50

How about you guys? Have you decorated a room around a sentimental piece?  Or do you issue any self imposed challenges for anything else? Like exercise or nutrition? Do tell.
-J

This room has looks even better now. See the latest updates here.

P.S. You too can get your very own Godzilla poster – take a look here.

 

Sharing with….Thrifty Decor Chick, Working with What You Have